Cancer: The Crab

Cancer: The Crab

Key Word: Intuition
House #4
Ruling Planet: The Moon

Cancer is the 4th sign on the zodiac ecliptic. It rules the moon, is exalted in Taurus and is a cardinal water sign. Cancer is the original “Rock Lobster.”

The sign of Cancer is ruled by the Moon. Physically it is related to the breasts/chest and the stomach. It is said to have a feminine polarity in nature, and is therefore more reactive in its energy. This would be considered “Yin” energy in eastern philosophy.

Cancer is a Water sign, (Icosahedron) and as such is connected to the world of emotion, instincts and the shadowy protective part of our own persona that we often cannot see. Cancer is a Cardinal sign, which means that planets placed here in a natal chart will express themselves in a very pioneering and dynamic manner, leading with their intuition or gut. This is especially the case in matters connected with care and protection of emotional, mental and familial matters.

This zodiac sign is associated with motherhood and the family. So being the fourth house of the zodiac and the “under-sky,” on the natal chart, makes this a place to evaluate how we feel about our mothers, women and or any nurturing presences in our lives. There is a great sensitivity within along with a rather secretive nature. Loyalty and attachment, sentimentality and hanging on to the past, are all characteristics associated with Cancer. The fiery protective aspect of Cancer is seldom discussed.

What Does The Cancer Symbol Mean?
The Cancer symbol represents the claws of the crab and the Tomoe icons that create the yin-yang symbol. The Tomoe is simply a swirl that resembles a comma. One comma is the sun and the other is the moon on a small scale. On a large scale, the Cancer symbol represents Ouroboros, the dragon biting its own tail representing the ceaseless cycle of eternity.

The fourth House refers to the home and everything associated with it (both the childhood home & the current home): family, land, personal foundations (inner emotional security), your roots. Astrologers are divided over whether this house is associated with one’s mother or father. What is clear is that a person’s upbringing is associated with this House.

The Cancer symbol represents Ouroboros, the dragon biting its own tail representing infinite cycles and balance balance. It also represents the Crab’s claws.

So clearly, you can look at the eternal aspect of Cancer that always leads us back to a place of peace or you can look at the eternal part of a cycle that makes us feel like we are in a rut. The choice is yours. Just consider the idea that if you give all of the “snipers” and over-sharing emotional bandits that you cross paths with the space to vent, you will probably acquire some pretty loyal friends.

Planets in this sign will often reflect a vulnerable character and oversensitive nature. There is also a possessive streak, and a tendency to be emotionally smothering. Nevertheless Cancer confers a strong intuitive nature and deeply-held feelings. There is a strong attachment to the home and awareness of the environment. Planets in Cancer come to expression most clearly in connection with the home and family.